What does "tuning" mean?

1. (musical adjustment) adjusting a musical instrument so it plays the correct notes. 2. (technical optimization) making small changes to a machine or system to make it work better.

How do you use "tuning"?

Often used as an uncountable noun referring to the activity itself. Commonly appears in the compound 'fine-tuning'.

tuning

US //ˈtunɪŋ// UK //tjˈuːnɪŋ// tun·ing

1 musical adjustment (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Music

adjusting a musical instrument so it plays the correct notes.

the adjustment of a musical instrument to a standard of pitch or to a specific interval relationship.

Example

The orchestra spent several minutes on tuning before the concert began.

Example

The pianist requested a professional tuning after the instrument was moved across the country in a humid shipping container.

Usage

Often used as an uncountable noun referring to the activity itself.
- calibration
- pitching
2 technical optimization (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Engineering

making small changes to a machine or system to make it work better.

the fine-tuning or optimization of a mechanical or electronic system to improve efficiency or performance.

Example

The mechanic finished the engine tuning to help the car go faster.

Example

Database tuning is a critical task for ensuring that the software can handle thousands of simultaneous users without crashing.

Usage

Commonly appears in the compound 'fine-tuning'.